Building Permits

Busy May keeping Kamloops building sector on record pace in 2026

Jun 5, 2026 | 8:37 AM

KAMLOOPS — A busy month of May has helped put the Kamloops building sector on a record pace through 2026. 

New numbers released by the City of Kamloops Building Inspection Division show just under $55 million in activity was recorded over 99 permits for May 2026 — more than quadruple the $13.3 million recorded over 110 permits from the same month last year. 

Residential construction carried the Kamloops building sector in May. More than $45 million in residential permit activity was recorded, including $38 million from six multi-family – three or more units – permits. 

Year-to-date, 2026 is the busiest five-month start for the Kamloops building sector over the last decade. Nearly $179.8 million in activity has been recorded over 338 permits, beating out the $163.3 million recorded over 389 permits in 2024. 

Kamloops continues to have one of its stronger starts when it comes to new housing units, as well. 

Permits for 170 residential units were issued in May 2026. Year-to-date, permits for 315 residential units have been issued compared to 120 during the same five-month period in 2025. The start in 2026 only trails the permits issued for 481 units during the first five months of 2020.  

The Kamloops building sector had its third-busiest year on record in 2025 with builders taking out just under $350 million. The city’s busiest year on record was 2022 with $415 million in permit activity. 

The full building permit report for May 2026 can be viewed here